The Treachery

It’s Friday once again, and Gene, Tina, and Art were once again dragging me for a night out with them.

“Come on Josh, we know you’ve already received your first pay!” Art sneered, as we went down London Bridge station.

“Libre, libre!” Gene chanted.

I am not really a fan of eating out, especially in London. But well, since I just got my first payslip, maybe I should give “myself” a treat. Note: myself, not them.

“So where should we go then?” Gene asked. We were standing by the big Tube map inside the station.

“How about Canary Wharf?” I suggested.

“Been there, and it’s far!” Gene exclaimed.

“How about Cheese-weeck?” Art said, pointing to the station on the District line that spelled ‘Chiswick.’

“It’s Chis-ick!!!” Wow. I can’t believe all three of us said it in unison. Art has this bad habit of not taking note of the different pronunciations of British place names, such as ‘Tot-num’ for Tottenham, ‘Hoe-bun’ for Holborn, and ‘Les-ter’ for Leicester.

“Act like a Londoner, will you?” I demanded. But I like the way he’s confused with these things. It makes him so lovable. Shit.

“How about Marble Arch? I wanna check out the large Primark store there,” said Tina.

“Hmm, great idea. I wanna check something out as well. Marble Arch then,” Gene seconded her suggestion.

“Cool, let’s go there then. It’s just near To-ten-ham,” Art interjected.

The three of us gave him a piercing glare.

-----

“We’re so lucky, man!” Art said. “There were those hot gals standing beside us in the Tube.”

“Yeah, yeah, so lucky indeed,” I said boringly. Damn it Art, stop doing this to me.

I zipped my jacket tightly as we got off at Bond Street station. It was 8 degrees, but people seemed not to care as they just went on with their shopping and strolling.

I looked around. Shops were starting to do their Xmas sales already. After a few minutes, we finally arrived at the huge Primark in Oxford Street. It’s like Britain’s version of Landmark, where all garments can be bought at like 50% cheaper than other retail outlets. Here’s the catch though… it’s always jampacked!

While Tina and Gene checked some dresses out on the ground floor in Primark, Art and I checked out the men’s coats in the first floor. I have to buy something for winter as soon as possible.

“Try this out.” Art handed me this extra small grey trench coat. I tried it on.

“Wow, it looks good on you, my fellow Londoner,” he said, smiling.

I checked the tag price…. 30 quid. Fudge.

“Oh come on, Josh, it will be useful for you for the colder months ahead. Besides, you’ll earn that 30 quid again in a day’s time.”

Somehow, Art has this power of persuasion that can make me do almost anything… except divulging my deepest, darkest secrets… not to mention that I have a ‘slight’ crush on him.

“Oh fine,” I muttered, as I headed off to the counter.

-----

“Aba, Josh is already spending some money, finally!” Tina jeered.

We were in Garfunkels in Bond Street having our dinner. It helped a bit as Art agreed to share this big BBQ platter with me for 20 pounds. So I just need to write off a tenner as dinner expense. Jeez.

After finishing our meal, we asked for the change. The waitress gave us a tenner and some coins. We wanted to distribute the change evenly, so I asked her if we can have two fivers.

She came back with the two fivers, put the first one on the table, then the next thing that happened was unthinkable.

She put the second one in her pocket.

I was in a state of shock. Apparently (I researched this one as soon as I got home), when you ask the staff for breakdown of money, they will take 50% of it as their tip.

Jesus. I didn’t know. In a state of confusion and chaos, Gene, Art, and Tina scampered for the remaining change remaining on the table.

I was a little bit too late. They took all of it.

For those dimwits out there who can’t count, I will say it in a very simple way: It was as if I was the one who gave the tip to the waitress.

5 quid. What. The. Fuck.

“Guys, can’t we share the unexpected tip?” I pleaded.

“No, Josh, since it’s your first pay, you have to show some goodwill,” Art said. I stared at him in disbelief.

“I really have some change you know,” said Tina. Umm, I also have some change, you know.

“Look,” Gene pointed to the wretched waitress, “she looks very thankful!”

------

As we were walking back to Bond Street station, I kept on pleading to help share some of the burden.

“I’m still new here, so help me, please?”

“It’s just 5 pounds, just leave it ok?” Gene said a bit impatiently. I’ve had it. This just ticked me off.

“I’ll go back to Primark tomorrow to return my coat and get my 30 quid back. I never tip in Manila, and you guys are asking me to give 350 pesos as tip? This is madness.”

I didn’t even wait for them, as I quickly zoomed past the ticket barriers.

"Thanks for giving me such great new friends," I muttered, as I stepped inside the platform.

And my crush over Art dissipated almost instantly.

Flu in a Foreign Land

Yawn.

I stood up slowly and checked my temperature. I still feel hot.

I got sick last night because of the sudden change in temperature. It’s already getting chilly as October kicks in.

It will be my first day in Domino’s Pizza, so I have to show up even though my throat hurts like hell.

Finally, after a few weeks, Gene got to talk with the area manager to see if they can hire me. She and Tina both work at Domino’s. The problem though is the distance. The branch I will be working in is in far west London, about 1.5 hours from my home in Catford.

However, since my work in the Japanese restaurant is not enough to cover my monthly expenses, accepting the offer was the best thing to do.

I quickly opened a sachet of Lemsip then mixed it with a hot cup of water. I hope this will be enough to relieve me from the flu symptoms I currently have.

3 quid just for a few sachets. I’ll add something to Clusivol’s famous ad: Bawal magkasakit… sa Britanya.

A Day at Kensington

“You’re late,” Art said as he waved at me in front of South Kensington station.

“Sorry, mate, train’s delayed,” I said apologetically.

“Yeah no worries. Off we go then! I’ll show you around here,” he smiled at me.

As much as I want to think that this is only a friendly meet-up, I can’t help but think if this is a date or not. Not that I really fancy him, but there’s something in Art that lures me in.

Is it his very cute smile? Or is it his kindness that I don’t get from other blokes out there?

His text a few days ago was just too hard to resist. He wanted me to show around Kensington, one of London’s most high-end boroughs. Property prices can reach millions of pounds here.

“What’s that?” I asked. We were in this building with a dome-shaped roof.

“Oh, that’s Royal Albert Hall,” he said. “Lovely, just stand there, and I’ll take a pic.” He tested his photographic skills as he took his iPhone from his sling bag and adjusted the angle.

His enthusiasm is just so infectious. I can’t help but smile.

Before I can approach him to check how well he took the shot, he ushered me to pose by the stairs leading to Hyde Park.

“C’mon Josh! Act like a tourist just this one time! Walang hiya-hiyaaan!” he insisted as he managed to snap another candid shot of me.

Well, it’s true. I’ve learned to act like a Londoner within just a few weeks. Being a tourist again is hard in its own way.

“Great pic, mate! C’mon, I’ll show you where I’ve work before,” he said.

-----

“So, is this the place?” I asked. We were standing in front of a very minimalist building.

“Yes, it’s Imperial College London. Too bad I have to give up my job here as a document controller since I got a job offer from a Filipino bank here,” he said. “I should’ve referred you here mate… They pay high!”

“Yeah, too bad indeed,” I muttered. My current job only pays minimum wage, and it’s not enough to make ends meet.

We strolled around the area for a few more minutes before I heard my tummy growl. He must’ve heard it since he asked where I'd want to eat.

“Well, I dunno. Any cheap place to eat in this high class borough?” I asked sarcastically.

“Erm, McDo in High Street Kensington?” He seemed to play around with my sarcastic tone.

“Bring it on. Kudos to the 1.99 Deli of the Day. Haha!” I said.

----

“So why did you come here to the UK?”

I stopped munching my Chicken Sandwich. What a very serious question to ask, I thought.

“Erm, same as everyone. To  have a good life I suppose… And to have no restrictions at all when visiting the EU or the US,” I said. “How about you?”

“Of course, the same as you. Good thing you started your journey at an early age.” He looked at me intensively, as if he’s studying my facial features.

“But you’re only 29,” I snickered. “It’s not too late!”

“Bastos ka! I am only turning 26 this November ok?!” he said defiantly.

“But seriously, Art. If only we’re already stable in the UK, we can do anything we want.”

“Yeah I agree mate. It’s such a hassle to hold a student visa. Many big companies revoke their job offers as soon as they find out that you hold one,” he’s saying it as if it’s based from experience.

So he talked more about how he almost got an apprenticeship position in IBM but was cancelled because of his visa status. We also got to talk about our prospects here in London.

“If I just get a proper 9-5 job, we can go to West End and do some shopping every week,” I said.

“Indeed. Only one more year before we can transfer to a proper work visa.” That’s what I like about Art… talking about the very uncertain future.

We talked more about our future plans and aspirations. But then, Art made a comment that struck me.

“Josh, since it’ll be wintertime soon, you have to find someone to keep you warm during the cold months.”

I was speechless at this point.

“Hah? Are you kidding me?”

“No, I’m not,” he said with indignation. “Just try Lovestruck.com out and you’ll see.” He smirked again.

“Don’t tell me you’ve tried it already,” I jested.

“Yeah, I did, and I found this cool British gal, and we just went on a date at the Royal Air Force Museum.”

I just stared at him in disbelief. Someone like him to do something like that? It’s absurd in its own way.

I was not liking the conversation as I tried to press him further about the girl’s background. He just kept his mouth shut for the whole duration of the meal.

Before I can insist him further on spilling out the beans, he said that he has to go home since he has an appointment to attend to. Tsk.

-----

“Hmm, if you want to pay the instalment on time, you must save like 200 pounds every month,” Art said, as the Circle line train we’re riding on moved past Gloucester Road station.

“It would be a challenge for me then. My take home pay after rent and transpo is like -240 quid.”

“Yeah, I think you should look for one more job. I’d like to help you but our bank’s under freeze hiring at the moment,” Art said.

We talked a bit more before he got off at Victoria station. As I saw him walking farther and farther away, a lot of questions popped out.

Um, who the hell is he dating? Why is he so secretive about it?

And why is my gaydar acting up whenever I’m with him?

Is it because I wanted him to be one so that I can have someone to talk to in a faraway land?

Josh, you’re making this so complicated.

Sushi Sanity

“You start work tomorrow. Be here at 6, ok?” said Nam, my new manager.

After almost 2 months of constant searching, I finally got a job. I don’t have to regret going to Shepherd’s Bush to play some pool anymore.

It’s not a glamorous one I should say… I will be just a mere kitchen porter in a Japanese take-away food chain outlet. Then again, I don’t want to burden my parents any longer. I have to help them subsidise the cost of studying in one of the most expensive cities in the world.

It is kind of ironic when the restaurant serves Japanese food, but all the staff (including the manager) are Korean.

I got trained by the current porter called Sing a while ago, and it was really a struggle since I can’t understand a word he’s saying.

Oo na… I am the arrogant one. But seriously, I do have communication problems when I talk to the following races: East Asian, African, and Indian. They have very thick accents that are not really comprehensible to the non-native English speakers from other nationalities.

I do hope I get this right, since I will be all alone next week, washing tons and tons of containers.

But do see the bright side Josh, as you can eat and take all the sushi you want.

All the sushi you want. Groan.

A Peek at Piccadilly

For the second time, Gene and her gang dragged me to see and enjoy London’s marvelous sights once again.

This time, we were in Piccadilly Circus and neighbouring Chinatown.

It is a misnomer to name the circle (the QC Circle type) a ‘circus’, but that’s what how the Romans called it. I really imagined beforehand that there were elephants and ringmasters roaming around Piccadilly and Oxford Street.

When we approached the Circus, I saw the iconic Sanyo logo together with other electronic billboards. With the famous red buses circling around the roundabout and the people from all over the world walking in all directions and taking pictures, it was London in its purest form.

Art, as expected, ushered me to stand on the centre of the Circus, so that he can take a picture of me with Sanyo and the red buses.

It was almost 7 in the evening. We decided to traverse Gerrard Street to find an affordable place to eat. Finally, we found a place that does Chinese buffet.

-----

“8 quid?! Seriously?” I said as I tried to see if I still have some cash with me. Yes I still have a tenner, thank God.

“Just get used to the prices will ya?” Tina jeered.

How can I get used to these overinflated prices when my current income is nil. Nil. London is really notorious for its high cost of living. It is seriously a bad place to be unemployed. What did I just get into?

We then went out the restaurant and turned right at the corner, passing by the theatre the does Les Miserables. Given time and money, I will surely watch one of the musicals playing on the West End.

We continued walking until Gene pointed something (or someone) out.

“Pink leotards,” she snickered. She was pointing on two guys wearing very skimpy neon pink leotards.

I think I knew where we were. I looked around. There were a lot of gays roaming around, either with their friends or their partners.

We were in Soho, London’s gay district.

I already did a bit of research about the city's gay life. It's one of the cities that has a lot to offer, alongside Paris and Montreal. Well, not that I want to hook up with someone and get laid a few hours later. That's the last thing that I will ever do.... maybe out of desperation.

I studied the place carefully. There were pubs all around the area with the famous rainbow colour symbol signifying that the place is LGBT friendly. There were also a lot of sex shops and hell knows what the hell's happening right at that moment. Some people were in drag, and some were just in their plain outfits. And some were just plain smokin’ hot.

I think I got a bit carried away in checking the hot Caucasian blokes out when Art called my name.

“Let’s get going. We still have to catch the Tube.”

Oops. I have to be careful. London might be an open-minded metropolis, but I’m just a newbie in here. I don’t want to get myself caught, basing from Gene’s earlier comment.

I still have to see if they’re homophobes or not.

Tower Bridge Time!

Class ended an hour earlier than usual. I was just planning on staying home and do a bit of job hunting when Gene grabbed me.

“Guys,” she pertained to Art and Tina, “let’s take Josh for a tour today, shall we? You kept on complaining that you haven’t been to any of London’s hotspots!”

It’s true. Ever since I arrived, I did nothing but to go to school, to look for jobs, to run errands in the nearby high street, etc.

“Where do you wanna go Josh?” said Art.

“Erm, I haven’t really taken a picture of the Tower Bridge yet…” I said meekly.

“Oh dear. We’ll take a picture of you beside the Bridge. Let’s go then!” said Gene.

-----

“Stand there. We’ll make this your FB profile pic.” Art was ushering me to stand at a certain spot while he moves my camera to check the perfect angle. We were standing at the Hays Complex beside the River Thames, overlooking Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.

“Are you an aspiring photographer?” I asked.

“Yes, but man I hope I can get a DSLR soon,” he grinned. Blimey… his smirk’s so cute. But I have to stop this. He's straight, I think.

I tried to hide my discomposure by looking at the cup of Starbucks coffee I was holding. 3 quid. I have to find a job asap, or else I am really going to sleep here by the Thames.

“Say cheese!” And the camera went click.

“Do you also want me to take a pic of you?” I asked.

“Nah, I already have one, but you can take a shot of me with that over there.” He pointed to the onion-shaped building right next to the Thames.

It’s the London City Hall.

I tried to take the shot from the best possible angle. After showing it to him, he exclaimed: “Haha, you are totally better than me at this one!”

“Nah, I’m not really that good. I have a friend back home who’s really the professional one.” I was not sure if I was blushing or not when talking to him.

We had to go after a few minutes since Tina and Art have work that afterrnoon. Gene asked me if I can accompany her to play some pool (or billiards) in Park Royal. Before I even said yes, she was already dragging me to the Tube station as we headed off for Oxford Circus.

While waiting for Gene’s friend to meet us up, we just strolled along the busy thoroughfare. It was a marvellous sight. Thousands of tourists/shoppers were walking from all directions. Oxford Street was basically London’s Champs-Élysées. High street brands ranging from Zara to Burberry covered both sides of the road, and it goes on and on and on…

I was doing window shopping, while Gene did the actual shopping. Goodness. 25 quid for a shirt? Madness.

“Don’t worry Josh. If you did find a job, you can buy all the things you want.” Gene then gave me a pat on the shoulder, sympathising for me. She then went to queue for checkout.

Someday, I will be the one who will be shopping like hell. Just wait and see.

Job-Hunting Madness

“Sorry, we don’t accept part-timers anymore,” said the BPI manager.

It was the fourth time I got rejected by the Filipino banks situated in Earl’s Court and Victoria. I tried to check if they have part-time positions available, after what my friend suggested.

PNB, Allied Bank, Metrobank, and now BPI.

BPI was actually the rudest one. They just shoved me off as if I was just wasting their time. Other banks took my CV, checked it once, and then put it on the manager’s table.

It has been my fourth straight job hunting day. I thought it will be a sitch for me because I graduated from a very good school. Apparently, the real world doesn’t work that way.

I can never forget Joana’s remark a few weeks ago about an Eco graduate who became a security guard in the US, because Philippine diplomas were not recognized in the States. I shuddered.

I hate this. I am starting to doubt my capabilities at this point. After calling it a day, I just went to Victoria and took some pics of Buckingham Palace, just to use up all of my credits in my Oyster card.

Someone, help me.